sooner; soonest
1
: without undue time lapse : before long
soon after sunrise
2
: in a prompt manner : speedily
as soon as possible
the sooner the better
no sooner said than done
3
: in agreement with one's choice or preference : willingly
I'd just as soon walk as drive
4
archaic
: before the usual time
5
obsolete
: at once : immediately
Usage of Safe
Both "drive safe" and "drive safely" are acceptable. Flat adverbs, as adverbs without -ly are called, are common in English; examples include soon in "see you soon" and fast in "time goes so fast." Adverbial safe functions in the same way these do.
Examples of soon in a Sentence
We will soon be making changes.
The soonest I can get there is tomorrow.
When is the soonest possible date of delivery?
The audience soon realized that it wasn't a stunt.
She found a job soon after graduation.
How soon can you finish the job?
The sooner you finish your homework, the sooner you can go outside and play.
I will let you know as soon as possible.
I'll get there as soon as I can.
Recent Examples on the Web
Cyber Monday ends soon, and discounts aren’t guaranteed to last.
—
Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 2 Dec. 2025
Getty Images Another transfer window soon rolls around and Aston Villa will explore the market.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
As for why this is happening, by requiring high earners to use Roth-style contributions, the government collects its tax revenue sooner rather than later – a feature lawmakers built into the law to help offset its overall cost.
—Steve Hruby, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2025
Polymarket's data will soon be integrated into the exchange to help investors and traders get an edge.
—Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soon
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Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 2 Dec. 2025
Getty Images Another transfer window soon rolls around and Aston Villa will explore the market.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
As for why this is happening, by requiring high earners to use Roth-style contributions, the government collects its tax revenue sooner rather than later – a feature lawmakers built into the law to help offset its overall cost.
—Steve Hruby, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2025
Polymarket's data will soon be integrated into the exchange to help investors and traders get an edge.
—Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soon
Cite this Entry
“Soon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soon. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
soon
adverb
ˈsün 
especially New England ˈsu̇n
1
: before long : without delay
soon after sunrise
2
: in a speedy way
as soon as possible
3
archaic
: before the usual time
4
: by choice
would as soon do it now
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